Local government leaders from Ohio sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner today, urging him and his fellow Republicans in Congress to approve a middle-class tax cut Tuesday.

Sandra Kurt, a Summit County councilwoman, and Massillon Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry were among 19 Ohio mayors, county commissioners, and city council members who signed the letter to Boehner in advance of Congress’ decision on the tax-cut bill.

"For communities in Ohio, the choices are clear," the letter states. "A fair tax system is not partisan politics. It’s common sense. We urge you and your fellow Republican colleagues in the House to vote with Ohio’s middle class and pass the tax cut."

The U.S. Senate approved the legislation last week that preserves tax cuts for the 98 percent of American families who earn less than $250,000. The legislation will face a tougher time in the House, where the Republicans claim the majority.

President Barack Obama has been pushing for the tax cut extension.

Local government leaders from Ohio sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner today, urging him and his fellow Republicans in Congress to approve a middle-class tax cut Tuesday.

A group of voters from the 16th Congressional District will come together this weekend to decide on the three key economic issues they think the Congressional candidates should focus on for the November election.

The jurors, a demographically representative group, will meet from Friday through Sunday at the Radisson Fairlawn/Hilton, issuing a report at the end announcing the issues they've chosen.

Summit County residents who will be voting in the Aug. 7 special election should keep an eye out for a bright orange postcard that will be arriving in their mailboxes any day.

The postcard will tell them where they will vote on Election Day. The board cut precincts and polling locations to save money. The board sent about 40,000 cards to inform voters of the changes.

In Summit County, voters will decide five issues: a fire/EMS levy and a road levy in Richfield Township and school issues in the Barberton, Coventry and Woodridge districts.

The board has so far received about 400 absentee applications and had about 300 early ballots returned. Special elections typically have low turnouts, with 15 to 20 percent of voters casting ballots.

Voters can visit the board’s website at www.summitcountyboe.com to check their polling locations for the August election. The board has not yet decided on the polling locations for the Nov. 6 presidential election. After these sites are approved, the board will add this information to its site and mail more postcards to voters.

Summit County residents who will be voting in the Aug. 7 special election should keep an eye out for a bright orange postcard that will be arriving in their mailboxes any day.

Former Akron Councilwoman Renee Greene is the newest member of the Akron Planning Commission.

Akron City Council approved Greene's appointment this week, with council members noting her service on council and continued involvement in the community. She is filling a vacancy on the five-member commission.

Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic made news in Philadelphia, where he told reporters U.S. House Speaker John Boehner treats mayors "like crap."

Plusquellic, who attended a three-day U.S. Conference of Mayor's conference in Philadelphia, was among the mayors who expressed frustration with Congress. He told the Philadelphia Tribune and the Philadelphia Inquirer today that he had a good relationship with Boehner when he served in Ohio, but no longer does. He said past speakers have met with him and other mayors, but Plusquellic has only met with Boehner's staff.

The candidates in this year's heated U.S. Senate race will face off in an event in Cleveland in October.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown will debate Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, his GOP challenger, in a debate at noon, Oct. 15 at the Renaissance Hotel in Cleveland. The City Club of Cleveland is sponsoring the event.

President Barack Obama's campaign kicked off its "Made in Ohio" manufacturing tour this morning with a stop in Akron.

William Crooks, executive secretary-treasurer of the Tri-County Regional Labor Council, and Sandra Kurt, a Summit County Council member, were the speakers at the event at the Laborers International Hall on Wolf Ledges Parkway.

U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci invited U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton this week to hold a joint town hall meeting on what promises to be one of the most contentious issues in their battle to represent the 16th congressional district this fall: health care.

Renacci opposed the federal health care legislation, which the U.S. Supreme Court upheld as constitutional in a landmark decision last week, while Sutton supported it.